LabStorms are collaborative sessions designed to help organizations tackle challenges related to feedback loops. They provide a space for innovators and organizations to brainstorm and develop actionable solutions to improve their feedback processes. Each session begins with a 15-minute overview by the presenting organization about their current work, highlighting specific feedback challenges. Participants engage in creative problem-solving, offering innovative ideas and suggestions to address the challenges presented.

The primary goal of LabStorms is to provide actionable insights that organizations can implement to enhance their feedback mechanisms. They aim to create a supportive environment where participants can share experiences, learn from each other, and foster a culture of continuous improvement. Rather than copy and paste successful models into your organization, LabStorms help build a custom plan to improve your organization’s quality feedback listening practices.

To date, Feedback Labs has held over 250 LabStorms, hosting more than 100 organizations, over the last 10 years. That is a wealth of information, insights, and ideas generated by the Feedback Labs community on a variety of topics. You can read about each LabStorm on our blog; however, we wanted to use this collective community wisdom to generate topic-specific resources for our Members. 

This Equity & Listening Guide is a collective of action steps, resources, and tools from our repository of LabStorms. Learn from our community how you can embed equity throughout your listening and feedback practices. 

If you are a nonprofit organization, philanthropic organization, or social sector actor who recognizes that effective solutions are driven by responding to the needs, wants, concerns, and values of those most impacted by the programs, practices, and policies your organization creates, this guide could be for you. Have you or your organization ever wondered . . .

Q1: How can we empower communities to lead their own initiatives and share in decision-making power?

Q2: What steps can we take to break down barriers and ensure everyone has equal access to participation and resources?

Q3: How do we create safe and inclusive environments where all voices can be heard without fear of reprisal?

Q4: In what ways can we enhance transparency to clearly communicate how feedback is collected, used, and safeguarded?

Q5: How can we ensure that our feedback loops are effectively closed, ensuring the insights we gather lead to tangible actions and improvements?

If you answered yes, you’re in the right place. Our four-part Equity & Listening series provides the tools you need to sustainably engage in high-quality listening and feedback practices at your organization.